NetRunner for Windows 95

NetRunner for Windows 95 -- PathLink's NetRunner is a full 32-bit 'net suite that will run under either Windows 95 or Windows NT. It offers full tables support, right mouse button functionality, a bookmark management system, an extensive online manual for getting NetRunner up and running, a new window option for running multiple sessions, Netscape's unique method of saving files in a separate process (so that you can continue to browse the web while the file is being downloaded), and nearly all other Netscape 1.x features. In fact, the NetRunner client is amazingly similar to Netscape 1.x -- it sports an interface and feature-set nearly identical to those of Netscape. It does add one or two additional features not found in Netscape; at the same time it also lacks many of Netscape's features. Like Netscape, it includes built-in support for a variety of apps, including a newsreader, gopher client, mail capabilities, File Transfer Protocol, and a telnet client (NetRunner uses the Microsoft Telnet client by default). In addition, it also provides a cool built-in whois client -- a feature currently absent in both Netscape 1.x and 2.x. Features currently lacking in NetRunner include advanced graphics rendering (256+ colors), Netscape 2.0 extensions, Microsoft Internet Explorer extensions, and support for Java and plug-ins. Another surprisingly absent feature is a lack of scrolling capability with the page up/down keys. Overall, NetRunner is so similar to Netscape that you might question the need for it. At this point, there may be no real reason to use NetRunner when Netscape offers the same features (and many more), but this could change in the near future as NetRunner evolves into a stronger (and more independent) 'net suite. Pros: Features and speed remarkably similar to Netscape, a built-in whois client, tables support Cons: Lacks mail receival capabilities and many other features found in the Newest web browsers New: Improved mail (send and receive capabilities) and News clients, FTPs now separate processes Version Reviewed: 2.00 Date of Review: 1/21/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud apps conference Main Menu